Rwanda Urges DR Congo to Sever Ties with FDLR for Lasting Peace

Wellars Gasamagera, Secretary General of the Rwandan Patriotic Front, urged DR Congo to break ties with the FDLR militia and cease any plans to attack Rwanda. He stressed that collaboration with the militia exacerbates regional insecurity and advocated for negotiated solutions to the ongoing conflict. Gasamagera also condemned the sanctions against Rwanda, highlighting the need for accountability in addressing the crisis’s true origins.

Wellars Gasamagera, the Secretary General of the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi), has emphasized the necessity for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) to sever all connections with the FDLR militia to attain sustainable peace. During a meeting on February 25, he warned that collaboration with this militia, designated as a terrorist group by the UN, exacerbates the ongoing crisis in the region. The situation intensified in January, when M23 rebels seized control of the key city of Goma.

Gasamagera also expressed grave concerns regarding Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi’s intentions to mount an offensive against Rwanda. He strongly urged the Congolese government to relinquish any plans aimed at destabilizing Rwanda’s democratically elected leadership. He stated, “Congo must abandon its plan to overthrow Rwanda’s leadership, which was democratically elected by its citizens.”

Furthermore, he advocated for negotiations to address the root causes of the conflict involving the M23 rebels. “True peace comes through dialogue and peaceful efforts,” stated Gasamagera at the forum, attended by representatives from Rwanda’s eleven political parties, including RPF-Inkotanyi and others.

Gasamagera praised President Paul Kagame for his commitment to fostering regional security and for implementing defensive strategies to safeguard Rwanda’s borders. He called for collective support from all Rwandans to uphold the President’s determination to protect the nation against external threats.

The FDLR, comprising remnants of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, has continued to pose significant threats, targeting Congolese Tutsi communities and launching incursions into Rwanda. Gasamagera criticized the Congolese government and the international community for misrepresenting the crisis’s origins, stating that the root issues stem from historical ethnic violence and governance failures in the DRC. “The crisis in DR Congo is rooted in historical facts, ethnic violence, and failed governance.”

Additionally, Gasamagera dismissed the sanctions imposed on Rwanda concerning its alleged support of M23 rebels as ineffective and detrimental. He argued that such sanctions only embolden the DR Congo to ignore its governance issues and evade responsibility for the crisis.

In conclusion, Wellars Gasamagera’s statement underscores the essential steps needed for DR Congo to achieve lasting peace, starting with severing ties with the FDLR militia and refraining from aggressive plans against Rwanda. The emphasis on negotiation and addressing the true roots of the conflict may pave the way for dialogue, security, and reconciliation in the region. The need for greater accountability and understanding of the crisis’s origins remains critical in resolving the underlying issues.

Original Source: www.newtimes.co.rw